Star Wars Republic Commando: Triple Zero
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| Author | Karen Traviss |
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| Cover Artist | Greg Knight |
| Country | USA |
| Language | English |
| Era | Prequel |
| Series | Republic Commando |
| Galactic Year | 21 BBY |
| Canon | C |
| Subject(s) | Star Wars |
| Genre(s) | Science Fiction |
| Publisher | Del Rey |
| Released | 28 February 2006 |
| Media Type | Paperback |
| Pages | 448 |
| Size and Weight | 7.0 x 4.3 x 1.0 inches 7.7 ounces |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-345-49009-6 |
| Preceded by | The Hive |
| Followed by | MedStar I: Battle Surgeons |
Star Wars Republic Commando: Triple Zero, by Karen Traviss, is the novel sequel to the book Star Wars Republic Commando: Hard Contact. The title comes from Coruscant's galactic coordinates (0,0,0).
[edit] Plot summary
The story begins with a flashback set years before the Battle of Geonosis. Kal Skirata, a Mandalorian mercenary, is summoned to Kamino by fellow Mandalorian Jango Fett. He arrives just as the Kaminoians are about to eliminate several flawed clone children because of their stubborn individuality and refusal to follow orders. Skirata finds such a prospect barbaric and sees to it that the children are saved. These children will eventually become the Null-ARCs, some of the most lethal beings in the galaxy.
One year after the Battle of Geonosis, General Etain Tur-Mukan and Omega Squad have parted ways and are participating in separate actions against the Separatists. However, a twist of fate reunites them when Omega Squad is shipwrecked while attempting to hijack a Separatist ship and Etain arrives to rescue them. After a brief reunion, Etain decides to dock at Coruscant.
Meanwhile, the situation on the Republic capital is not going so well. A Separatist terrorist group has bombed numerous targets in Coruscant, crippling the Republic war effort and sapping morale. Unfortunately, the Coruscant Security Force has neither the equipment nor the expertise to solve the problem. The terrorists' latest strike destroyed a Republic military installation, killing several clone troopers. Skirata, who has a deep respect for clones, takes personal offense at the senseless deaths of clone troopers and decides to resolve the issue himself. He organizes a team consisting of fellow Mandalorian mercenary Walon Vau, Jedis Etain and General Bardan Jusik, Delta Squad, Omega Squad, and Null ARC Trooper Captain Ordo and sets out to eliminate the terrorists through less-than-legal means.
However, things start out shaky as team members begin to have conflicts with each other. Atin has a deep seated hatred for Vau, who abused him during his training, Skirata dislikes Vau for his overly harsh methods, and Omega and Delta Squads both harbor a deep rivalry and resentment for each other. Fortunately, the team members manage to overcome their differences and unite.
The team then begins to trace possible intelligence leaks within their own military, as well as track suspected terrorists. They then pose as weapons dealers willing to sell explosives and manage to expose the heart of the terrorist organization. The team then sets out to assassinate various collaborators, informants, and terrorist leaders as well as destroying their base of operations. They also give information to the CSF which allows them to conduct simultaneous raids on suspected terrorist hideouts all over Coruscant, effectively destroying the terrorist network for good.
During the operation, many of the clones begin to display romantic interests. Laseema grows deeply connected with the clone commandos, Ordo is somewhat infatuated with Besany Wennen, and Etain and Darman's relationship culminates in Etain becoming pregnant with Darman's son.
After celebrating the demise of the Separatist terrorist network, Etain confides in Skirata that she is carrying Darman's son without Darman's or the Jedi Council's knowledge. Skirata is furious, thinking that Etain had taken advantage of Darman. However, he agrees to help Etain raise her son, but only under the condition that Skirata have total authority in caring for her son, and that he is raised as a Mandalorian, not a Jedi. Etain has no choice but to agree. In order to hide her pregnancy, Skirata arranges to have Etain go in hiding until the baby is born.
With their duty done, Omega and Delta Squads prepare to be shipped out to assist the Wookiees. However, Skirata allows Darman some time off to spend with Etain before they have to leave for their respective duties. Meanwhile, Skirata assigns his Null Troopers another task, swearing that he will give them and their fellow clones a future. It is interesting to note that in another of Karen Traviss'es books, "Bloodlines", as an aged Boba Fett searches for a way to extend his life, he hears of a clone who claims to be a Commando from the Old Republic. It could be that this is one of the original clone commandos who found a way to extend their normally twenty year life span. The book ends with Boba going after the said Commando to find a way to save his own rotting cloned body.
[edit] Dramatis Personae
- Sergeant Kal Skirata, mercenary (male Mandalorian)
- Sergeant Walon Vau, mercenary (male Mandalorian)
- Null ARC Trooper Captain N-11 Ordo
- Null ARC Trooper Lieutenant N-7 Mereel
- RC-1309 Niner, Republic Commando, Omega Squad
- RC-1136 Darman, Republic Commando, Omega Squad
- RC-8015 Fi, Republic Commando, Omega Squad
- RC-3222 Atin, Republic Commando, Omega Squad
- RC-1138 Boss, Republic Commando, Delta Squad
- RC-1162 Scorch, Republic Commando, Delta Squad
- RC-1140 Fixer, Republic Commando, Delta Squad
- RC-1107 Sev, Republic Commando, Delta Squad
- Clone Trooper CT-5108/8843 Corr
- General Bardan Jusik, Jedi Knight (male human)
- Captain Jaller Obrim, Senate Guard, seconded to Coruscant Security Force Anti-Terrorism Unit (male human)
- General Etain Tur-Mukan, Jedi Knight (female human)
- Enacca, Associate of Skirata (female Wookiee)
- Qibbu, entrepreneur (male Hutt)
- Laseema, employee of Qibbu (female Twi'lek)
- Besany Wennen, a GAR logistics employee (female human)
[edit] External links
